Southern California -- this just in

Pastor charged with sexually assaulting 14-year-old girl in his South L.A. congregation

September 10, 2010 | 2:58
pm

A pastor has been charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl in his South Los Angeles congregation.

Carson resident Leonel Pelayo, 45, pastor of Iglesia Apostolica Monte de Horeb, was arrested Thursday and charged with six felony counts, including lewd acts with a minor and unlawful sexual intercourse, according to a statement from the Los Angeles Police Department.

Police said Pelayo befriended the girl in a church group. Between July and mid-August, he allegedly took her to several vacant buildings, where he sexually assaulted her, police said.

Pelayo is scheduled to be arraigned Sept. 30. If convicted of the charges, he faces four years and four months in prison.

Detectives are looking for other alleged victims. Anyone with information is asked to call the LAPD's Abused Child Unit at (213) 486-0570.